Sierra Space continues to put its Large Integrated Flexible Environment (LIFE) habitat designs through the wringer. Sierra Space’s LIFE habitat modules are constructed with a unique softgoods material called Vectran made from chemically-woven synthetic liquid crystalline polymers. “Historically, whipple shields or stuffed whipple shields have been used,” said Sierra Space mechanical engineer Zack Masciopinto, referring to the metallic structures used on the International Space Station. A view down the barrel of one of NASA’s two-stage gas guns. Moving forward, Sierra Space will spend the next year-and-a-half finalizing its entire softgoods module system to submit for NASA certification.